Letter to the Editor: Community meetings a step toward reliable public lighting in Detroit

This Oct. 24, 2012, photo shows a broken streetlight base on a sidewalk east of downtown Detroit. When baseball's World Series returns to Detroit this weekend for Game 3, television viewers will see vibrant crowds and skyline shots of the city. Yet beyond the hot dogs and home runs, Detroit is struggling to cross home plate. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The authority is a new agency authorized by Michigan Legislature in 2012 and approved by Detroit City Council earlier this year. Our assignment is to develop and implement strategies over the next three years to improve Detroit’s public lighting system. It’s estimated that half of Detroit’s 88,000 lights are inoperable because of coil theft, bulb outages, vandalism and maintenance issues.

As a public agency, we believe it is very important to hear directly from the community as we embarked on our mission to create a reliable public lighting system for the City of Detroit. We want to make sure that the plan we develop truly reflects the needs, interests and opinions of Detroiters. That is why we are holding these public meetings.

In his article, Mr. Lacy asks “What do you think about this new Lighting Authority claiming it won't be able to answer questions about nonworking lights at the meeting?”

We aren’t able to answer questions about specific nonworking lights because the system is still being operated by Detroit’s Public Lighting Department. Our charge is to come up with a new plan and implement it city-wide. As we make improvements to the system we will then become responsible for operating those parts that we have improved. In three years the system will still belong to the City of Detroit, but it will be fully operated by the authority. It’s the same arrangement that exists with such institutions as Cobo Hall, the DIA and the Detroit Zoo, which are still owned by the city but operated by independent authorities.

The community meeting agenda includes an introduction to the PLA board, made up of five Detroiters appointed by the Mayor and City Council, an explanation of the organization’s role, an overview of Detroit’s lighting system, and an opportunity for the community to offer input on options and ideas to improve Detroit’s lighting system.

We have held five community meetings to date, with two yet to be held next week. Interested residents can still provide input into our plan by attending either one of these meetings, which will be held: